Julien Sicre Shaper

We met the shaper of Joyas Surfboards, Julien Sicre (41), who came to Fuerteventura 14 years ago attracted by the waves, the landscape and the environment in this island. Born in France and brought up in Venezuela, his life has been determined by surf from a very early age.

When and why did you get to Fuerteventura?
I came here for one month holiday in February 2003 and I loved it: the landscape, the waves, the environment, the people and the opportunities the island offered at a professional level at the moment. When I returned home I organised everything, I took my car, my tools and in June the same year I came back to settle down.

Do you surf as much as you like?
Relatively, I do. My job gives me a great deal of flexibility, although it’s never enough, you always want more (laughs). It’s not a priority, like before, because of the family and so on, but any way it’s an important part of my job to be in the water and test boards as well.

Have you always been devoted to the world of surf?
Not at a professional level, because you need a lot of experience to live from surf. I have worked in many other things apart from this.

When did this passion arise?
At a very early age, I would be around 7 or 8. I remember the holidays in Venezuela, where I was brought up. Going fishing with my father, the contact with the sea. There were always a couple of buggies for my brother and myself; we started to catch waves by then and we have never stopped.

When did you start to make your own boards?
I was 14. From then onwards I made some more, but it was when I was 20 that I started to make and sell them at a professional level.

Who are your idols in the world of the «shaper«?
It’s interesting that you are making that question because my dream has just come true: working with Malcom Campbell, a legendary shaper who invented the Bonzer board in the 70’s, with designs that turned totally the tide of creation. Working with him is being a great experience.

What would you say that makes you different?
I wouldn’t be able to say it. I think we all are different. My work is the reflection of my personality and the experience I have gained over time, in and out of the water. Surf has led almost my entire life and I think it will keep doing it.